What is an IP address?
Every computer network device/network interface that communicates using the Internet Protocol is assigned an Internet Protocol address (IP address), which can be interpreted as a human-readable number. One hand, an IP address serves as a network interface identification, and on the other hand, an IP address serves as a location address. For public IP addresses, the most common version is IPV4, a 32-bit number. In recent years, with more and more connected devices, IPv6 has developed as a result of internet growth. In IPv4 all addresses have 128 bits. Sadly, it is still hard to switch from IPv4 to IPv6. Both IPv4 and IPv6 do have private versions, since not all IP addresses need to be available to the public. IPv4 and IP46 private addresses can be used in internal networks and do not require coordination with public IP address registries.
What can be identified by an IP address? Can I be identified?
IP addresses reveal more information than just the provider of your internet connection, but also the city, postal code, and the exact location (lat/long) of the provider's exit node. An exit node is the node of your provider that is connected t o the internet and where all your traffic goes through. So basically your IP address does not in any case reveal your exact address or even your name or identity. As a result, the provider knows your IP address and can map it to your address. Under some circumstances, law enforcement may be able to determine who you are, if they obtain a warrant and ask the provider for the name of the person the IP address is connected to.
